Ash Wednesday services took place at both St. Celestine Church in Elmwood Park and St. Cyprian Church in River Grove, as the churches began the Lent period for the first time as a combined parish.

The churches together make up the St. Mother Theodore Guerin Parish. On March 6, the Rev. Paul Cao, the parish’s pastor, was at St. Celestine, which offered three Masses and one service. The Rev. Andre Beltran was at St. Cyprian, which offered a service and a Mass.

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At St. Celestine, Cao said Catholics should remember three things during the Lenten season: prayer, fasting and giving.

“Lent gives us an opportunity to be closer to God,” he said. “The church sets aside 40 days during Lent to help us connect to the Lord.”

Last year, the Archdiocese of Chicago announced St. Cyprian Church and St. Celestine Church would combine as St. Mother Theodore Guerin Parish, as a part of its Renew My Church initiative.

Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, a season known for urging sacrifice. At St. Cyprian, Beltran urged parishioners, “instead of being so focused on giving up something, focus more on having a clean, forgiving heart. Have a joyful heart.”

Cao noted that many traveled back and forth from the two worship sites, opting to go to both St. Celestine and St. Cyprian on Ash Wednesday.

“Lent is a time to be grateful we have two churches together with more options to receive ashes,” Cao said.

The Rev. Paul Cao gives ashes to Eric Robinson during the 4 p.m. Ash Wednesday service at St. Celestine Church in Elmwood Park. (Maryann Pisano/Pioneer Press)

Cao explained that it is still a challenge for the two churches to come together as one community, but it’s his mission for it to become one parish.

“Our mission is to follow Christ and to be faithful to Christ and do what Jesus tells us to do,” he said. “As human beings, we’re resistant to open ourselves and to accept the new reality of the two combined parishes.”

At St. Celestine during a 4 p.m. service, Cao said during Lent, prayer is important to reflect, fasting is important for discipline and Catholics should give in order to celebrate with Jesus.

Elmwood Park resident Mike Johl said he’s been attending both St. Celestine and St. Cyprian since 1961. Because he used to live in River Grove, he said, he and his wife attend both churches depending on the most convenient time of Mass.

“People have issues with change, and I understand that,” he said of the new combined parish. “But we’re Catholics, and Catholic means universal. Whether we’re here or St. William, or wherever, God listens to us. In life, we have to make changes.”